Agnes Gonzales stands in line with hundreds of other residents to pray to the holy relic of St. Jean Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News

Residents from Las Cruces and the surrounding area gathered together to venerate the heart of St. Jean Vianney, being held here by members of the Knights of Columbus, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News

The Knights of Columbus escort the heart of St. Jean Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Las Cruces on Tuesday, May, 7, 2019. Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News

Rev. Alejandro Reyes of Our Lord of Mercy Catholic Church in Las Cruces holds a statue of St. Jean Vianney during a veneration of the saint at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News

Rev. Alejandro Reyes of Our Lord of Mercy Catholic Church in Las Cruces holds a statue of St. Jean Vianney during a veneration of the saint at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News

Rina Duncan, background, and Carolyn Wilson pray to the relic of St. Jean Vianney at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart in Las Cruces on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Duncan, from Silver City, said she came to pray for her son who is a priest in Post Falls, Idaho. Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News

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LAS CRUCES - A Catholic relic known as the Incorrupt Heart of St. Jean Vianney was on display Tuesday for adoration at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart in Las Cruces.

The actual heart of the late patron of parish priests drew a large crowd of believers who came to pray and witness the holy relic. The heart is mostly covered, contained in an ornate reliquary. But there is a small viewing window in the container.

Presentation of the relic was made possible by the Saint Jean Vianney Incorrupt Heart national tour, which began in November 2018 and will continue through June 2019. The tour was organized by the The Shrine of Ars, France and the Knights of Columbus.

"It’s part of a national pilgrimage for the 200th anniversary of St. Jean Vianney, who arrived in his own village of Ars in 1818," said Rev. Jonathan Kalisch, who's accompanying the relic. "St. Jean Vianney is considered a great saint within the Catholic Church; he's the patron saint of parish priests."

The tour made its way to the Southwest — starting in Phoenix, Arizona on May 5 — and will continue to various stops in Texas, other parts of New Mexico and Colorado. Tuesday afternoon was the only opportunity to view the relic in Las Cruces. It was transported immediately afterward to El Paso, where it was on display Tuesday evening at St. Patrick Cathedral.

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The Incorrupt Heart of St. Jean Vianney was on display for adoration Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Las Cruces.(Photo: Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News)

Who is St. Jean Vianney?

Born in a small village in France in 1786, Vianney and his family suffered through the dark years of the French Revolution, when the Catholic faith was attacked, churches were destroyed, and bishops, priests and religious were martyred, according to the Knights of Columbus.

He is regarded as a model for priestly holiness, purity and generosity and is known as the Curé of Ars.

According to the Knights of Columbus website, Vianney died on Aug. 4, 1859, at the age of 73. Nearly 1,000 people attended his funeral, including the bishop and priests of the diocese. On Oct. 3, 1873, Pope Pius IX proclaimed him Venerable, and on Jan. 8, 1905, Pope Pius X beatified him. Vianney was canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 31, 1925. In 1929, the Holy Father declared him patron of parish priests. His feast day is August 4.

Kalisch said Vianney's heart is truly a miracle because it has not decomposed for over 160 years.

"We know that some people, when they die, do not have their bodies disintegrate, and that's a miracle within itself. There are a few that we know of; St. Jean Vianney is one of those," Kalisch said. "His body is preserved without any chemicals since he died 160 years ago. They keep his body in France, but since his heart represents his love for Christ, they took the heart out of the body, and it travels all around the world. So, it’s really the heart of St. Jean Vianney we're witnessing. It's truly a miracle just by seeing this heart that should be dust, so to speak."

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Rina Duncan, background, and Carolyn Wilson pray to the relic of St. Jean Vianney at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart in Las Cruces on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Duncan, from Silver City, said she came to pray for her son who is a priest in Post Falls, Idaho.(Photo: Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News)

Residents pray

Several hundred people from Las Cruces and the surrounding area made their way to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart, 1240 S. Espina St., to pay respect and pray for their own miracles Tuesday.

"I came because it's not everyday that we see a part of a saint," Josephine Sanchez of Las Cruces said. "I like coming to see things like this. It’s a part of our upbringing. I’m a faithful Catholic so I was brought up believing in saints and relics and prayer of course — especially now during these days when things are so bad."

Carole Sheer, also from Las Cruces, said it's a part of her faith to honor saints.

"When a saint's body is incorrupt, meaning the heart is still intact, it’s really something. We get to see it and pray to him and have our religious articles blessed by him. It’s just something when it goes around the world like this," Sheer said. "I think it's important to come to events like this to keep the faith going, especially in these times when people are starting to lose faith. Faith is what keeps us going and believing in Jesus where, in this world, not a lot of people know about Jesus."

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Rev. Alejandro Reyes of Our Lord of Mercy Catholic Church in Las Cruces holds a statue of St. Jean Vianney during a veneration of the saint at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Tuesday, May 7, 2019.(Photo: Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News)

Kalisch said the tour is a perfect opportunity to raise awareness for Catholic priests who have recently not been portrayed in a positive light.

"I think in particular, at this time when many priests have been in the spotlight for things that have not been holy or sanctified, that St. John Vianney’s presence here is a moment for all of us to pray. First for the holiness of our priests and of our clergy and then to inspire our priests to live radical lives of discipleship for Christ," Kalisch said. "I think it’s a beautiful moment to show that the church of Las Cruces is vital to the whole Catholic Church and to the renewal of the faith among all believers."